Top 25 recruit Anthony Lucas scheduled to visit for UCLA-LSU game

The Preseason SI99 defensive lineman told 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong where he'd be visiting this fall

(Photo Courtesy of Anthony Lucas/Instagram)

It looked like the Bruins may be out on their top defensive line target, but he might not be done with them just yet.

Class of 2022 defensive lineman Anthony Lucas had UCLA football in his top 10 when he announced it on April 7, only to drop the Bruins from the list when he narrowed it down to seven on Aug. 3. Lucas spoke with 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong recently, however, and said he would be attending UCLA's game against LSU at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 4.

Lucas has Alabama, USC, Texas A&M, Miami, Oregon, LSU and Notre Dame in his top seven. With both the Bruins and Tigers showing serious interest, it is not clear what Lucas' exact plans are for the game.

After not visiting Westwood since in-person recruiting re-opened earlier in the summer, this could be the first time Lucas has officially connected with UCLA on their turf. Coach Chip Kelly and his staff made Lucas an offer Sept. 1, 2020.

Lucas is the highest-rated target left on the board for the Bruins according to SI All-American. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Chaparral High School (AZ) lineman came in at No. 19 on the preseason SI99 Football Prospect Rankings on Aug. 4 and is rated as a high four-star by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.

On SI All-American's interior defensive lineman watch list published July 28 – Lucas ranked No. 5 at his position – John Garcia and Matt Solorio wrote this scouting report on Lucas: 

Widebody from head to toe. NFL size with good composition. Room for a little more good weight. Great Length. Solid out on the edge, but might get out-twitched at the next level. Highly coordinated when changing direction. We really like his lateral first step, because he doesn’t give any ground when trading gaps. Big, powerful stepper. His compact style of pass-rushing fits the interior better than the edge. Locking out blockers was coached into him well. Can sometimes give up his chest with low, late punches. Pad level is decent, angles of pursuit look good. Shows flashes of pass-rushing brilliance. Eyes can sometimes get lost in the backfield. Would benefit from more active hands when rushing the passer. 

The LSU game is UCLA's crowning nonconference game this fall, and it will be the second time fans will be allowed to return to the bleachers at the Rose Bowl. Based on estimates of tickets sold within the LSU community, roughly 20,000 Tiger fans are expected to show up, in addition to the Bruin faithful that hasn't been able to see their team play in person in nearly two years.

Recently history suggests Lucas will beat witness to a UCLA loss, considering the Bruins are 0-6 in nonconference games under Kelly, but a shift in expectations and the Pac-12 landscape could provide an opportunity for an upset.

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